Abstract
This study applies the first and second laws of thermodynamics to investigate the problem of steady filmwise condensation on a finite-size horizontal disk. The boundary condition at the disk edge is obtained by applying the minimum mechanical energy principle. Closed form correlations for the Nusselt number and the dimensionless overall entropy generation number are established. For the case of without losing the condensation heat transfer coefficient, the present results suggest reducing the value of the parameter group BrGrψ to minimize the dimensionless overall entropy generation number. Finally, a formula is derived to establish the value of Ra/Ja which minimizes the dimensionless overall entropy generation number for a specified value of the parameter group BrGrψ.
